The Department of State Services (DSS) has rescued the four remaining students of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State, who were abducted by armed bandits more than seven weeks ago, bringing an end to a kidnapping that reignited concerns over security in Nigeria’s north-west.
The students were kidnapped on 3 June 2026 when armed men attacked an off-campus hostel in the Low-Cost area of Kaura Namoda town. The gunmen seized six students during the late-night raid before fleeing into nearby forests. Two of the victims were released earlier, leaving four students still in captivity.
According to security sources, the DSS carried out an intelligence-led operation in Zamfara that resulted in the safe rescue of the remaining four students without the payment of any ransom. One suspected kidnapper was arrested during the operation, while several others were reportedly killed in the exchange with security operatives.
The successful rescue was announced on Thursday, 23 July 2026, ending weeks of uncertainty for the victims’ families, fellow students and the wider Kaura Namoda community.
The rescued students have since been handed over to the appropriate authorities and are expected to receive medical attention and psychological support after spending weeks in captivity. Officials have not disclosed the exact location of the rescue or the identities of the students for security and privacy reasons.
The incident is the latest in a series of kidnappings targeting schools and educational institutions in northern Nigeria. Criminal gangs, commonly referred to as bandits, have increasingly attacked communities, highways and schools, often abducting victims for ransom despite intensified military and security operations across the region.
The rescue has been welcomed by residents and security observers, who described it as a significant breakthrough for intelligence-led security operations. However, it has also renewed calls for stronger protection of schools and student accommodation, particularly in states affected by banditry.
Zamfara remains one of the states hardest hit by armed violence, with repeated attacks disrupting education, farming and economic activities. Security experts say sustained collaboration between intelligence agencies, the military and local communities will be essential to preventing future abductions and restoring public confidence.
While the rescue marks a positive outcome for the affected students and their families, the broader challenge of insecurity in north-west Nigeria continues to demand long-term solutions aimed at dismantling criminal networks and safeguarding vulnerable communities.